Fall Crafts: Three-D Tree Project

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

29 Sep 2006 06:42 AM

Yay! This project doesn't involve finger paints, or paint of any kind! Just as much fun but a lot less mess, so it's as mom-friendly as it is kid-friendly. Well, there is still glue involved and it is a little messy, but not nearly as bad as dabbling in paint!

This time, you're going to make a tree first, and not just any tree. It's going to be the coolest, 3-D tree ever. Then, when you make hand print leaves, all you're going to do is trace your hands onto colored construction paper or fabric, cut out your prints, and glue them onto the tree.

Let's get the tree started first, so we know how many leaves to make. Start with a piece of poster board or cardboard. Sketch the shape of a tree. Now, instead of just coloring it in (or painting!), cover the tree with bits of bark or small twigs. You should have no problem findings twigs in the yard this time of year or pieces of bark that have fallen off of trees. Fill in the whole tree area for a nice wooded effect that stands out. Cool!

Now all you need is leaves. You can stick on some of the clean, pressed leaves you collected previously as was suggested, if you have some. Otherwise, simply make your own with your handprint. You can find some great textured fabric in fun fall colors, or just use construction paper.

Your 3-D tree will look and feel really cool and you can hang it up. You might even ask your teacher if you can make a smaller version at school, and maybe you'll get to stay outside longer to gather the stuff you need. Bonus!

NOTE: Don't remove bark from trees without asking a grown up and only take stuff from your own yard or other area where you have permission unless you take care to closely follow collecting laws in your area.

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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